SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has urged the Malaysian business community not to take risks by throwing their support behind untested and unproven political parties in the upcoming 14th General Election.
Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said such a move would be detrimental to the country’s future.
“I am confident that we do not want to take any risks with our future. The one thing businessmen cannot do is to let something happen to the country.
“You must not take risks by choosing a government or pacts that are unproven and untested,” he said in an apparent reference to the Pakatan Harapan opposition pact.
“We (BN) is a government that is tried and tested. Of course, we strive to do better. I’m not saying everything is perfect. We, too, face challenges but I assure you that we will do better in the future.
“We hope that you think about a bright and good future,” he said in a speech to some 3,000 businessmen during the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia’s (ACCCIM) Chinese New Year dinner at Setia City Convention Centre here tonight.
Present were MCA president and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan president and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government minister Tan Sri Noh Omar, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian and ACCCIM president Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap.
Najib also said the Federal Government has many plans to ensure the country’s future, and that the Malaysian business community should remain confident in his administration.
“I assure you that my partners in the government and I will carry out (these plans). We will transform Malaysia and propel the country to greater heights.”
Earlier, Najib said his administration placed emphasis on preserving social stability and, at the same time, turn Malaysia into a more advanced economy.
Since 2009, he added, Malaysia achieved solid economic growth, and that Malaysia’s economy grew by 5.9 per cent last year, far exceeding expectations.
“The World Bank had revised upward its growth forecast for the country three times.
“I guarantee you that we have the ability and the commitment. We have proved ourselves by completing the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) project ahead of schedule and RM2 billion below budget.
“We are capable of completing other mega projects. So, this government is tested and has succeeded in carrying them (projects) out.”